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Hi all, we lost my Dad, Bill Luderman in 2018, he is the one on the right in the photo. He was trained on the Vindicatrix. He was 16 in 1950, so I am guessing it was around that time.
He used to sing me some songs about the Merchant Navy as a child, but I only remember parts of the lyrics, I was wondering if anyone knew any more, please. One of the songs started:

‘When I was young I went to school to learn my ABCs, I jumped upon a Billy goat’s back…’
it had further lyrics:
‘He cut my hair with a knife and fork
and tied me to a cabbage stalk
I grew so fat I could not walk
I joined the Merchant navy…’

Another went:
‘I got a brother, Sylveste
(What has he got?)
He’s got a row of 40 medals on his chest
(Big chest)
He thought he’d take a trip to Italy.
He dived in the harbour at New York
And swam like a feather in a cork
He saw the [Mauritania?] in distress
(What did he do?)
He swallowed all the water in the sea
(Big swallow)
He put the [Mauritania?] on his chest
(Big chest)
And walked all the way to Italy…

It would be great to find out more, but I realise it’s a long shot now.
Thanks in Advance,
Joy.